Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of multi-stage stem cell carcinogenesis and a method of generating such multi-stage stem cell carcinogenesis system. Various stages of cancer stem cells can be generated from normal stem cells via mutagenesis. The system of the present invention enables monitoring changes in the ability of cells to transition from one stage of carcinogenesis to another and to identify genetic pathways and molecules that influence carcinogenesis. The present invention also enables a high-throughput and nonbiased screening for targets that preferentially affect cancer stem cells relative to non-cancer stem cells or their derivatives during stem cell carcinogenesis, thus is useful in developing anti-cancer therapeutics.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing human embryonic stem cells from blastomeres with reduced or no animal cells or products, including no serum regardless of source and including xeno-free conditions, without compromising derivation efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for generating customized hESC and lines thereof for future use in the treatment of genetic relations. In one aspect, the customized hESC lines are grown using human feeder cells or human serum from biological or genetic relations in order to reduce or preferably avoid contamination by foreign pathogens or exposure to foreign antigens.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for generating customized hESC and lines thereof for future use in the treatment of genetic relations. In one aspect, the customized hESC lines are grown using feeder cells from biologically or genetic relations in order to avoid contamination by foreign pathogens or exposure to foreign antigens.